Week of March 4, 2015

Myrtle Johnson Broach, 81, of Darlington, wife of the late Arthur Eugene Broach, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, February 23, 2015 at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in Grove Hill Cemetery, directed by Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home, and other times at the home, 410 Redwood Street, Darlington.

Mrs. Broach was born in Richmond County, N.C. She was the daughter of the late Gus A. and Mamie Campbell Johnson. Mrs. Broach retired from Dixie Cup in Darlington. She was a member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church. Mrs. Broach enjoyed spending time with her family and shopping.

Surviving are sons, Larry Broach of Darlington, and Gerald Broach (Sherrill) of Myrtle Beach; daughters, Deborah Larymore (Avery) of Chesterfield, and Diana Breedlove of Darlington; two grandchildren, Dana (Bill) Hunt and Ashley Breedlove; and four great grandchildren, Kameron and Jazzlyn Breedlove, Kylie Hunt, and Ryatt Neel; sister-in-law, Bertha Mae Johnson of Darlington; and close friends, Maria O’Neal and Luann Lee.

Mrs. Broach was preceded in death by grandson, Christopher Glenn Larymore; and brothers, Leroy, Bill and Junior Johnson.
Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice of Florence, 1203 E. Cheves Street, Florence, S.C. 29506.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

Bob E. Weaver, age 67, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015. A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, at Belk Funeral Home Lamar Chapel. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Ed Herlong.

Bob was born February 8, 1948, to the late Elbert and Anzy Lee Weaver. He worked as a wastewater treatment operator with Fiber Industries. He served in the United States Army. He enjoyed hunting and was a member of Cypress Hunting Club. He was a member of Newman Swamp United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife Ellen Weaver, his daughter Carol Weaver Bell, and his brother Robin (Gail) Weaver, all of Lamar, and two grandchildren Austin Bell, and Avery Bell.

Preceded in death, in addition to his parents, are his brother Tony Weaver; and his sister, Linda Stewart.

Memorials may be made out to Newman Swamp United Methodist Church 1120 Lee State Park Road, Lamar S.C. 29069.

A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Essie Lewis Smith, 82, of Darlington, SC died Friday, February 27, 2015 after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Kistler Hardee Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Grove Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital – 950 W Faris Rd, Greenville, S.C. 29605.

Essie was born May 10, 1932 in Horry County, S.C. to the late Charlie and Ovie Williamson Lewis. She and her husband Jack owned and operated The Country Barn restaurant in Darlington and Myrtle Beach for years. After retiring they traveled and became very involved in the Shrine where her husband was Potentiate. She was a member of Daughter of the Nile and loved her Shrine family.

She is preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie Ernest Lewis and Roy Lewis; a sister, Velma Hepburn; and her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Jack W. Smith of Darlington; a daughter, Gwendolyn Ann Wilson of Darlington; two step-daughters, Pamela Kerr of Hatfield, PA and Honey Newberry of Fontana, CA; a brother, Clarence Edward Lewis of Darlington; four sisters, Genese Snider of Darlington, Marilyn Privette of Latta, Carolyn McCormick of Darlington and Rosie Viola Tadlock; a favorite nephew, Dorla Lewis of Mechanicsville; and three grandchildren, Heather Suen of Fontana, CA, Kristen Daneker of Royersford, PA and Cortney Seltzer of Newton, PA.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Charlie Ernest Lewis and Ray Lewis, and her sister Velma Helburn.

The family would like to express the gratitude for all the loving care provided to Essie by Hospice Care of South Carolina.

An online condolence page is available at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

Dennis M. Blackmon, age 70, died Friday, February 27, 2015, in a local hospital. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1st, in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service and other times at the home, 229 Rhodes Community Road.

Born in Darlington on July 25, 1944, he was the son of the late Furman Blackmon and the late Cloey Andrews Blackmon Truett. Dennis was a retired truck driver, and had driven for Standard Trucking and Wilson Trucking. He also owned and operated B & B small engine repair. Mr. Blackmon had attended Temple Free Will Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Moody Blackmon, a daughter, Penny (Charlie) Gainey, and a son, Dennis M. Blackmon, Jr.; grandchildren, Dwayne Locklair (Joey Conway), Laci Gainey (Bobby Parker), Corbin Blackmon, and Landon Blackmon; and a sister, Cheryl Suggs. Dennis was soon to be a great-granddad for the first time, anticipating the arrival of Ava Brooke Parker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father,JP “Pete” Truett.

A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.